Bless this house: a Passiontide Parsifal in Erl

Parsifal at the Festspielhaus Erl

Michael Nagy (Amfortas) and chorus

Jamez McCorkle (Parsifal) and the Flowermaidens

Jamez McCorkle (Parsifal) and René Pape (Gurnemanz)

Ricarda Merbeth (Kundry) and René Pape (Gurnemanz)

By Peter Quantrill, 10 April 2026

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“‘here time becomes space’ takes on strikingly real as well as philosophical dimensions”

Reviewed at Festspielhaus, Erl on 2 April 2026

Wagner, Parsifal

Asher Fisch, Conductor

Philipp M Krenn, Director

Heike Vollmer, Set Designer

Regine Standfuss, Costume Designer

Stefan Schlagbauer, Lighting Designer

Orchester der Tiroler Festspiele Erl

Chor der Tiroler Festspiele Erl

Michael Nagy, Amfortas

James Platt, Titurel

René Pape, Gurnemanz

Jamez McCorkle, Parsifal

Audun Iversen, Klingsor

Ricarda Merbeth, Kundry

Egor Zhuravskii, First knight of the Grail

Sorin Coliban, Second knight of the Grail

Annina Wachter, First squire, First Flowermaiden / First Group

Camilla Lehmeier, Second squire, Second Flowermaiden / Second Group

Kristofer Lundin, Third squire

Josip Švagelj, Fourth squire

Ani Kushyan, A voice from on high, Third Flowermaiden / Second Group

Stefani Krasteva, Second Flowermaiden / First Group

Zoe Hippius, Third Flowermaiden / First Group

Evelina Liubonko, First Flowermaiden / Second Group

Nina Stemme stars in an unforgettable Elektra in Baden-Baden

Ako Imamura, 26th March

The Baden-Baden Easter Festival presents an extraordinary performance of Elektra, with Nina Stemme in the title role and the Berliner Philharmoniker, led by Kirill Petrenko, in a stark and modern production.

*****

Double trouble as two directors tackle new DNO Rusalka

Eleanor Knight, 8th June

The magic in Philipp Stölzl and Philipp Krenn's new production comes from the pit, where Joana Mallwitz and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra captivate.

***11

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Isabella Steppan, 13th January

Die deutschsprachige Erstaufführung von Péter Eötvös’ Werk wird dank hervorragender Sänger, dem bestens disponierten Orchester und einer berührenden Inszenierung zum vollen Erfolg.

****1

Richard Jones’ clunky Samson et Dalila returns to Covent Garden

Dominic Lowe, 13th May

With Aigul Akhmetshina and Seokjong Baek in the title roles, there are reasons to be optimistic, but The Royal Opera’s revival of Richard Jones’ production is a mixed bag.

***11

Reality television: ENO’s Angel’s Bone in Manchester

Lawrence Dunn, 12th May

Kip Williams and ENO mount an extraordinary new production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s multifaceted opera, with performances of great emotional directness broadcast live on camera.

*****

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

David Smythe, 9th May

A traditional Marriage of Figaro entertains with a strong cast, eye-catching design and lighting, and Amanda Holden’s earthy libretto.

****1

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Peter Quantrill

Peter Quantrill is a regular contributor to Gramophone, The Strad and other journals. Recent programme notes have been published by the Salzburg and Edinburgh festivals, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Royal Ballet. He also writes about music and musicians for many record labels including Eloquence, Delphian, Signum, Danacord and Brilliant Classics. Once unplugged from his hi-fi, he can generally be found in a London concert hall or at the cricket, and he tweets (sporadically) @PeterQuantrill.